Monash University Malaysia Hosts Payment Leaders At Inaugural EPAA Connect Forum
The inaugural EPAA Connect – Payment Leaders Forum brought together more than 140 thought leaders from over 20 jurisdictions across the global and Asia-Pacific payments ecosystem for a one-day forum at Monash University Malaysia.
Jointly organised by the Emerging Payments Across Asia (EPAA) and Monash University Malaysia, with support from Swift and the Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM) the closed-door forum saw regulators, policymakers, banks, payment schemes, fintechs, infrastructure providers and technology leaders exploring the future of payments across the region.
Rather than following a traditional conference format, EPAA Connect focused on practical, outcome-driven discussions designed to turn industry conversations into shared priorities and actionable initiatives. As the annual landing point for EPAA’s seven active Working Groups, the forum provided an opportunity to build on year-round discussions and identify priorities for 2026-2027.
Key discussions explored some of the most pressing issues shaping the payments landscape, including cross-border interoperability, real-time payments, regulatory harmonisation, financial inclusion, payments innovation and the development of resilient and trusted payment ecosystems. Across these conversations, participants highlighted the importance of collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, payment providers and technology firms in driving meaningful progress.
Delivering the keynote address, Ganesh Kumar Bangah, Chairman of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), shared insights into the future of payments and the role of innovation and collaboration in strengthening Malaysia’s digital economy and the wider region.
Professor Nafis Alam, Head of School of Business at Monash University Malaysia, highlighted the value of bringing together perspectives from across the payments ecosystem. He emphasised that the challenges facing payment systems are increasingly institutional as well as technological, requiring trusted frameworks, aligned incentives and greater accessibility. He also underscored the role of academia, industry and policymakers in advancing a more connected and efficient payments landscape.
Reflecting on the forum, Camilla Bullock, Chief Executive Officer of EPAA, described the event as taking place at a critical inflection point for payments across Asia-Pacific, reinforcing the need for stronger coordination and practical collaboration across the ecosystem.
Through EPAA Connect, industry leaders are working towards translating shared priorities into practical outcomes that can help shape the future payments across the region.
